Fairhaven's Gammans fell in love with cross country

Girls Cross Country All-Stars:

There is a lot more to Bay Gammans than running fast. The fact that she has accomplished that aspect of her sport is why she is the Standard-Times Girls Runner of the Year, but that only tells part of her story.

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By BILL ABRAMSON

southcoasttoday.com

By BILL ABRAMSON

Posted Dec. 2, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Dec 3, 2012 at 7:02 PM

By BILL ABRAMSON

Posted Dec. 2, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Dec 3, 2012 at 7:02 PM

» Social News

There is a lot more to Bay Gammans than running fast.

The fact that she has accomplished that aspect of her sport is why she is the Standard-Times Girls Runner of the Year, but that only tells part of her story.

Cross country and track were only supposed to allow the soccer player that she was to stay in shape, but she fell in love with the sport. Goodbye, soccer.

"As a freshman, I was into soccer since I played from the time I was really little," Gammans said. "In the off-season, I decided to run track as a sprinter to stay in shape for soccer. At the end of my freshman outdoor season, they added a meet and I said I'll run the mile. I loved it. I finished second for girls.

"My sophomore year, I did soccer and distance running. I loved the distances and it surprised me that I was good. I love the distances so much and the runners are the nicest people you'll ever meet."

This year, the 16-year-old junior made the natural switch to cross country and its 3.1-mile races, but that decision didn't come without some trepidation.

"Going to cross country was hard because I was afraid I wouldn't fit in," she confessed. "I was scared I wouldn't be able to do it. I wished I had run more than once a week during the summer. I didn't think it would be the great experience that it was. I got so much out of it."

Gammans gets so much out of everything she does and does well. In the classroom, she is a member of the National Honor Society and carries all honors classes plus two AP (advanced placement) courses.

"I want to be an anthropologist," Gammans said. "I love science and history. Those are my two AP courses, chemistry and history. Anthropology combines those two cultural sciences and I want to travel a lot. I think people's cultures are interesting."

Bay works at the First Unitarian Church in New Bedford as a teachers' assistant ("I do the crafts and the snacks.") and loves skiing and hockey ("I think the Bruins are amazing.").

She also loves music as five years playing the violin would attest, but she gave up her violin to concentrate of her studies when she entered Fairhaven High.

WHY SHE WAS SELECTED: In a very competitive girls cross country season, Bay was the only runner to break 21 minutes in winning the South Coast Conference championships.

KEY STATS: In addition to her 20:50, Bay ran 21:05 at the Coaches Invitational and had a 21:19.9 in the Class Meet despite the recurrence of a pinched nerve in her neck at the 2-mile mark.

MVP MOMENT: Running in a pack of 4-5 girls in the SCC Meet, she got to the point when she started sprinting and pulled away to win the race in 20:50.

FAIRHAVEN COACH JO-ANNE CHARETTE: "Bay's work ethic and her determination to improve made her a very competitive runner in the SCC. Her positive actions also helped to mold the younger runners on the team to work harder. She is a strong runner with a natural ability."

NOTES: Bay's goal is to be more competitive at the state level next season. €» She would like to go to third-world countries and wanted to join the Peace Corps to help people. €» Bay's mom (Mary Rapoza) was a sprinter and her dad (David) was a distance runner when both went to Fairhaven High School.

The No. 1 runner on the girls team that went undefeated for the second consecutive year. €» Her personal best was 21:05 in running second at the SCC Championship meet. €» Always up-beat and motivational to her teammates, Sam works hard and is always trying to find ways to improve on her times. €» "She brings a lot to the team both as a leader and a friend to the other girls," Old Rochester coach Cindy Tilden said. "She sets high standards for herself as far as sportsmanship and believes all athletes should be held to that standard."

Undefeated against all area girls in dual meets, she had the best time of all area girls on the Wrentham course at the MSTCA or MIAA State Championships with a 21:12. €» Ran 11th at the EAC league meet. (21:27.76) and was first for the Spartans in every meet. €» Had a time of 14:46 for her home course of 2.5 miles. €» "She is a member of the Student Council, Pro-Life Club, math team, Captains' Club, winter and spring track teams," Coach Len Rocha said.

Rebounding from Achilles tendon injury suffered at work and surgery last year, she finished a solid third at the SCC Championship Meet in 21:10. €» In the Div. 5 race at Wrentham, came in with a 21:45.9. €» Finished first against Old Rochester, Dighton-Rehoboth, Seekonk and second to GNB Voc-Tech in dual meets. €» When she's not running, she's leading as the drum major for the marching band. €» Also involved in the DECA program, or International Association of Marketing Students.

Her 21:45 got her sixth at the South Coast Conference championships, but she saved her best for the State Vocational Meet with a 21:21.1, which helped Voc-Tech win the title. €» Three days later, she ran 22:29.6 in the Div. 2 meet over the same Wrentham course. €» "Jennifer is one of this area's hidden talents where running is concerned," GNB Voc-Tech coach Mark Thornhill said. "Her competitiveness at meet time is one of the best I have ever coached."

The No. 1 runner for the Lady Bears, she was undefeated in South Coast Conference dual meets, an impressive accomplishment for a sophomore running her first season of cross country. €» Finished fifth at the SCC Championships in 21:22. €» Was 24th at the Twilight Meet sophomore division in 21:15 and was seventh at the State Vocational Meet in 22:01. €» "As a first-year runner, Jessica made an impact on not just our team but on the SCC," coach Mark Thornhill said.

A first-year cross country runner, she made good on a promising early-season. €» Third at the Big 3 Meet in 21:14 over the 2.95-mile course, followed with 21:47 at the Coaches Invitational and 22:06 at the Division 1 Meet a week later at Wrentham.

Made a huge transition from the fourth/fifth runner on the varsity to the first-second spot this season. €» Her best time over the 3.1-mile course was 21:49 at Barnstable for the Twilight Invitational. €» Should continue improving as she gains experience.

Her best time was 21.55 for an eighth-place finish in the South Coast Conference Meet. €» Added a 22:36.6 at the Coaches Invitational as the No. 2 runner for the team. €» Battled hip issues all season €» switched to cross country from volleyball last year.

Wisdom teeth extraction led to jaw infection, surgery and a week in the hospital. €» It took all season for Santos to get her stride back, but she lowered her times to 22:35 at the SCC Meet and 22:44.7 at the Class Meet.

A freshman and first-time cross country runner, she was surprise of the season. €» Became the No. 2 runner on a deep ORR team with times like 22:10, good for ninth at the South Coast Conference Meet and 22:41 in the Class Meet.

Her best time of 22:27 earned an 11th-place finish at the South Coast Conference Meet. €» Moved into the No. 3 spot by season's end. €» Battled chronically bad shins for most of the season. €» Matched her 22:27 in the Class Meet.